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Gospel of Mark
Part 36: Healing at Gennesaret
By Rev. Bruce A. Shields
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SERMON TIMELINE
1. Introduction
5. The Preaching Ministry of Jesus I
6. The Preaching Ministry of Jesus II
9. At the Home of Simon and Andrew
12. Jesus and the Tax Collector
13. Jesus Questioned About Fasting
15. Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath & Resurrection Sunday 2025
16. Hard Hearts and Hard Thoughts
18. Jesus Appoints the Apostles
24. Parable of the Growing Seed
25. Parable of the Mustard Seed
26. Benefits of Private Teaching
30. When Familiarity Breeds Contempt
32. Weakness in the Seat of Power
34. Feeding 5000
36. Healing at Gennesaret
Today is Sunday. September 28th, 2025
INTRODUCTION
Last week we read about Jesus walking on the water to meet the disciples in the boat as they struggled in another storm. Shortly after anchoring on the shores of Gennesaret, other miracles followed.
Today we will examine the success of Jesus’ ministry, and look at its purpose. Similar observations can also be made about Peter and Paul's ministries as well. Which will challenge the so-called healing ministries of today. Are they really of God?
SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Mark 6:53-56
“ And
when they had crossed over they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the
shore. 54 And when they got out of the boat, immediately the
people recognized Him, 55 and ran about that whole region and
began to carry here and there on their mats those who were sick, to the place
they heard He was. 56 And wherever He was entering villages, or
cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the marketplaces, and
pleading with Him that they might just touch the fringe of His garment; and as
many as touched it were being cured from their sicknesses.
I. THE SETTING OF THE HEALING
a. In Gennesaret
i. Jesus and His disciples anchored in Gennesaret, which was a densely populated and fertile plain of Capernaum
ii. About three miles along the Sea of Galilee (also called the Lake of Gennesaret in Luke 5:1)
iii. Josephus writes in The Jewish War / Wars of the Jews, Book 3, ch. 10, §516–521 in Whiston’s translation “The country also that lies over against this lake having the same name of Gennesaret; its nature is wonderful as well as its beauty; its soil is so fruitful that all sorts of trees can grow upon it, and the inhabitants accordingly plant all sorts of trees there; for the temper of the air is so well mixed, that it agrees very well with those several sorts, … it not only nourishes different sorts of autumnal fruit beyond men’s expectation, but preserves them a great while; it supplies men with the principal fruits, with grapes and figs continually, during ten months of the year and the rest of the fruits as they become ripe together through the whole year; … its soil is so fruitful …”
b. Other Occasions
i. So Jesus performed miracles here.
ii. We also read in Acts 5:14-16 about Peter’s healing ministry here, in Jerusalem during the early days of the church.
iii. Paul as well had a successful healing ministry here according to Acts 19:11-12, in Ephesus during his extended stay on his third mission trip.
In both rustic and urban settings, wonderful things happened when true
men of God were healing the sick. However, we must take things into context,
and consider carefully.
II. THE SUCCESS OF THE HEALING
a. In Gennesaret
i. When people got word Jesus was there, they gathered their sick
ii. Where Jesus went, they brought the sick to Him
1. On beds, laying them in market places, through the roof of houses in need be.
iii. NOTE: “as many as touched Him were made well.”
1. Not some, not most, but all.
2. Not a little better, not getting better, but made well, healed.
b. Other Occasions
i. In Acts 5:14-16 we read about Peter in Jerusalem
1. The sick were laid out in the street on beds and couches
2. People from surrounding cities brought the sick and possessed
3. NOTE: “they were all healed”
ii. Paul’s third mission trip in Ephesus in Acts 19:11-12
1. God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul
2. Even handkerchiefs brought from his body to the sick healed them
3. NOTE: All who received such ministrations were healed
The crowds gathering around Jesus, Paul and Peter were understandable. The success rate of 100% is remarkable.
III. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE HEALING
a. In Gennesaret
i. What was the purpose of the healing?
John 5:36 “But the witness I have is greater than the witness of John; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—the very works that I do—bear witness about Me, that the Father has sent Me.”
John 10:25 “Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in My Father’s name, these bear witness of Me.”
John 10:37-38 “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and continue knowing that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.”
ii. The purpose of the healing was to confirm that the Father is in Jesus, and He in the Father, and that the Father sent Him.
iii. People who witnessed these signs made the connection
1. John 3:2
2. John 9:30-33
iv. Jesus did refrain on one occasion from doing miracles for lack of faith in Matthew 13:58
v. NOTE: Jesus never failed any miracle that He attempted!
b. Other Occasions
i. So why did the apostles also have this ability?
ii. The purpose of apostolic miracles was to confirm their message
1. Mark 16:17-20 is the foundational instruction to the Apostles, not all believers.
iii. WHY JUST THE APOSTLES?
1. Because THEY were laying the foundation of faith, just as the prophets did, with Christ as the cornerstone.
2. When a building is built, after the foundation, you put in the floor and walls, do you then go back and build more foundation?---NO!
Ephesians 2:19-20 “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone.”
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 “According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must consider how he builds on it [THE FOUNDATION]. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
iv. So, the Apostles were given the ability to perform healings in the same way Jesus did, 100% of the time they attempted. I say attempted because there are times in scripture when Jesus and the apostles DIDN’T heal, but every time they attempted, they succeeded.
1. For the apostles, this was to affirm they too were building the foundation of the faith with Christ as the cornerstone, that others would build “God’s Household” upon, through leading others to the Kingdom!
2. But this foundation is complete.
Are there any apostles today? NO.
Acts 1:21–22 – When Judas was replaced, Peter said:
“Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the
time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us—beginning with the baptism of
John until the day that He was taken up from us—one of these must become a
witness with us of His resurrection.”
The requirement was direct, firsthand witness of Jesus’ earthly ministry and resurrection. That qualification cannot be met today.
Ephesians 2:20 – “…having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone.”
A foundation is laid once, not repeatedly in every generation. The apostles’ authority was foundational to the church.
And Apostles were chosen directly by Christ
Mark 3:13–14 – “And He went
up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to
Him. And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could
send them out to preach.”
Galatians 1:1 – “Paul, an
apostle, not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the
Father, who raised Him from the dead.”
Apostleship required direct appointment by the risen Christ, not a church vote or later succession.
Apostolic authority was unique and confirmed by signs
2 Corinthians 12:12 – “The
signs of a true apostle were worked out among you with all perseverance, by
signs and wonders and miracles.”
This authority was not transferable in the ordinary sense, but divinely attested.
The number of apostles was fixed and symbolic
Revelation 21:14 – “And
the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve
names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
This shows the Twelve were a once-for-all, foundational group linked to
Christ’s mission, not an office renewed in every generation.
And like Jesus refusing to perform miracles in Matthew 13:58, because He knew it would do no good there, we see in 2 Timothy 4:20 that sometimes the Apostles didn’t heal those they knew were sick.
So why didn’t Paul heal Trophimus when he knew he was sick?
· The power of the Holy Spirit was not under his (or anyone else's control).
· Sometimes God allows sickness for His purposes, even in the lives of faithful servants.
· Allow sickness does not mean the disciple was a failure or it is punishment. Sometimes God uses sickness to redirect, or slow His servants.
We must remember that instant and complete healing (miracles) of the apostles served to authenticate the gospel message for building the foundation of faith (Hebrews 2:3-4; 2 Corinthians 12:12)
They were never intended to eliminate all sickness among believers.
Paul healed others, yet his thorn in his side was not removed (2 Corinthians 12:7-9) Because God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”
Timothy had ongoing health issues that were not healed (1 Timothy 5:23)
Job suffered painful sores and afflictions for a long season (Job 2-42). His healing did come much later, but his godliness was tested through prolonged illness.
Elisha in 2 Kings 13:14 was sick with illness that was going to kill him.
Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:25-27 was sick to the point of death, but God showed mercy and healed him. But his near death experience shows that believers still go through storms in life, and healing and perfect health is not guaranteed.
Therefore, one cannot have a healing service promising healing to people.
It’s not biblical.
a) There are NO apostles laying foundation to God’s Household today. There are NO apostles today!
b) We see in scripture sometimes believers have storms and illness in their lives, and they are NOT removed, whether they have faith or not.
c) No one can say “come to my healing service” because you CANNOT tell God WHERE He is going to be, WHEN He is going to be there, and WHAT He is going to do to conform to your will!
Jesus said in John 3:8 “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going;”
We do not control God or the Spirit of God.
Are there still miracles and healing today? YES!
James 5:14-15 “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.”
If you’re sick, the elders will pray over you, anointing your head with oil (symbolic of the Holy Spirit), in the Name of the Lord, and THE LORD WILL RAISE HIM UP, and his sins will be forgiven him.
Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Matthew 7:7, 11 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you… If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”
CONCLUSION
Today, there are self-proclaimed faith healers who say God is working through them...
a. Often large crowds attend their meetings, hoping to be healed
b. But most people leave such meetings, disappointed that they were not healed, despite having such healers lay their hands on them, and pray for them
2. When true servants of God healed, everyone was healed...!
a. Whether it was Jesus, Peter or Paul
b. The purpose of miracles to confirm they were servants of God
c. And God left no room for doubt!
The fact is, such healing ministries in the scriptures were for a specific purpose...
They were to confirm the message and messengers as being from God to lay the foundation of faith.
Once the Word of God was completely revealed and confirmed, there is no longer a need for such miracles of confirmation – 1 Corinthians 13:8-10
Which explains why such miracles are not being done today, contrary to claims made by false teachers who mislead many.
When we carefully study the miracles of Jesus and those of His apostles, comparing them with the so-called miracle healers of today, we can easily see the difference.
NEXT WEEK: “Part 37: The Danger of Traditions”
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